Gritting arrangements for Fri 8 Jan, Sat 9 and Sun 10 Jan 2010

Please see press release below from Essex Highways regarding Gritting for today Fri 8 Jan, tomorrow and Sunday 10th Jan 10.

7 January 2010

ESSEX TAKING STEPS TO KEEP ROAD NETWORK MOVING

Essex County Council is revising its gritting programme this weekend to ensure that the county is kept moving in light of prolonged winter conditions.

 

In order to ensure that all major routes can be kept clear during the working week, Essex’s fleet of 65 winter gritters will be operating on a reduced precautionary network on Friday (8th) and Saturday (9th) evening.

 

The reduced network includes all ‘A’ roads, some ‘B’ roads and other additional roads serving larger towns and villages, as well as access roads to major hospitals, fire and ambulance stations.

 

Gritters will return to treating the full precautionary network on Sunday evening (10th), so that all major routes are cleared in time for the start of a new working week.

 

The decision has been taken following latest forecasts which predict that the cold weather will continue over the weekend and into next week. The government has announced steps to control the national distribution of salt, so it is imperative that Essex manages remaining supplies carefully.

 

County Councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transportation said: “Revising our gritting programme is a decision that I have taken extremely seriously. We appreciate that residents still need to get around the county during the weekend, but we must prioritise our service to keep Essex moving while the icy conditions remain.

 

“We started this winter from our strongest ever position in terms of readiness for these severe conditions with the highest ever levels of winter salt in stock. Our gritters and crews have been out night and day for three weeks treating 1800 miles of Essex’s primary network plus hundreds more miles of high footfall areas.

 

“We have been receiving fresh supplies of salt and will continue to take operational decisions to maximise the benefits of winter gritting on our roads and footpaths for our residents. I would like to ask the public to take special care on untreated roads, and continue to travel with extreme caution at this time.”

 

Essex County Council is constantly monitoring weather forecasts and supplies of salt, with further operational decisions being taken as required.

-ENDS-

 

 

Michael Page 

Press Desk Officer

Communications

 

Essex County Council | telephone: 01245 438418 | extension: 22418 | email: michael.page@essex.gov.uk

 

EW7

 

Mid Area Highways

Environment, Sustainability & HIghways

 

Essex County Council | telephone: 01245 240068 | extension: 50068 | email: Jenny.Engalls@essex.gov.uk

Please also see additional message below from Cllr David Finch 

Dear Colleague

 

Below is a link to the ECC website giving the revised list of roads to be gritted.  As you are aware, due to the severity and long duration of the current conditions the Government has announced that steps are being taken to control the national distribution of salt and this will obviously have an effect on salt levels in Essex.

 

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/dis//ned.jsp?oid=145631

 

David M Finch

Member for Hedingham

 

Posted by:

Joe Burlo

Chariman

01787 269999

Joe@faze7.com

 

 

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